ew Mexico and Southern Colorado are home to three shortline railroads, all powered by the coal-burning steam engines of more than 100 years ago. Booking passage on any of them is money well spent on a summertime activity.

Even if you've never been on a horse in your life, give Leon Harrel a few days and he'll have you riding 'em in and cutting 'em out right alongside the professionals.

From sugar packets to navel lint, people collect the most amazing things. And now, thanks to the Web, you can see some of these collections without having to leave the comfort of your keyboard.

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Triumph in River City[6]With The Music Man, Austin Musical Theatre creates a River City that's bigger than some by-god real Texas towns. Robert Faires,AUSTIN CHRONICLEDouble Trouble[7]Lobsters and freaks and geeks, oh my! Ben Winters,NEWCITY CHICAGO

Want to know what all these checkboxes are for?
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Want to know what all these checkboxes are for?
Click here to find out, or just ignore them.

One Of Their Own[5]The Quaker State 200 runs under the pall of a death that robbed the sport of a promising driver. Ron Martin,MEMPHIS FLYERNow What?[8]A gallery of captivating links to keep your imagination churning while the paint dries.WEEKLY WIRE

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